Government Policy on Architecture 2009 – 2015 - Department of Arts ...

3.5 Fostering Creativity and InnovationThe best interest of society is served when it can draw on talent and creativity as well asexperience and knowledge in providing for its needs. The pace of change demands that freshthinking and new understanding of how issues might be approached is of significant importance.Meeting that challenge will mean drawing on a wide range of expertise from many disciplines,including architecture. It is important that architectural creativity is brought to bear at every level -at the level of built environment strategy as well as at the level of the building project. The <strong>Policy</strong>on Architecture seeks to reinforce the progress made in recent years in establishing a climateof critical exploration, architectural design investigation, and research through design. The fullerexploitation of talent and creativity will require that procurement of services and works is openedto wider expertise, thus optimising the delivery of projects of high quality, and of innovationin sustainability.The <strong>Government</strong> recognises the importance of fostering architectural creativity andinnovation and recognises the key role in certain circumstances of architectural designcompetitions in delivering architectural quality and value for money in the built environmentAction 12To ensure that the State can benefit from the diversity of available talent, the<strong>Government</strong> will implement the following measures:i. the Office of Public Works in consultation with the relevant authorities such as theNational Development Finance Agency, will broaden the scope for architects toengage in the process of procurement including through Public Private Partnerships;ii. the Office of Public Works in consultation with the <strong>Government</strong> ConstructionContracts Committee, will ensure that procurement policy encourages participationof architectural practices at all scales, and supports coalitions and collaborationbetween smaller practices as a way of achieving diversity with critical mass. In thisregard criteria for participation in procurement generally will be reviewed to enablethe participation of practices at all scales;iii. the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local <strong>Government</strong>, in consultationwith the <strong>Government</strong> Construction Contracts Committee will seek to increase therange of areas in which architectural competitions are deployed.Action 13The Arts Council will continue to provide opportunities for creative and criticalexplorations within the field of architecture and in supporting the development of criticalpractice within the profession.32 <strong>Government</strong> <strong>Policy</strong> on Architecture 2009 – 2015